Monroe County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.7 | 155,045 people · 33rd most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Monroe County, MI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.7 — 1665th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Michigan, it ranks 33rd of 83 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Monroe County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 71.1 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 71.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 71
Housing Cost Burden 69.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 90
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 74
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 62
Homeownership Rate 14
Economic Vitality 58.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 61
Rent-to-Income Ratio 55
Business Formation Rate 73
House Price Change (YoY) 22
Consumer Credit Distress 38.4
Debt in Collections 38
Medical Debt 49
Auto Loan Delinquency 42
Credit Card Delinquency 48
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 34
Structural Poverty 32.6
Unemployment Rate 74
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 16
Child Poverty Rate 24
Disability Rate 39
Transfer Income Dependency 28

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Monroe County
Monroe County, MI 48.7 Normal —
Wayne County, MI 76.2 Serious +27.5
Lucas County, OH 66.8 Serious +18.1
Lenawee County, MI 51.8 Elevated +3.1
Washtenaw County, MI 41.9 Normal -6.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Monroe County
Columbia County, OR 48.7 Normal +0.0
Polk County, OR 48.7 Normal -0.0
Grant County, WA 48.6 Normal -0.1
Cambria County, PA 48.8 Normal +0.1
Niagara County, NY 48.8 Normal +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Monroe County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Monroe County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Monroe County.

MONROE COUNTY OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM
Monroe
734-241-2775 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingHomeless/DisplacementPre-Purchase

See all counselors in Michigan →

Find an Attorney

State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-968-0738

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Monroe County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid & Defender Association of Detroit 313-967-5555
Michigan Legal Help / Wolverine Legal Aid
Neighborhood Legal Services of Michigan 248-548-3838
Michigan Advocacy Program 616-774-0672
Legal Services of South Central Michigan 734-665-6181
Lakeshore Legal Aid (888) 783-8190
Legal Aid of Western Michigan (616) 774-0672
Legal Services of Eastern Michigan (800) 322-4512
Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Inc. (906) 786-2303

Self-Help Resources

Michigan Legal Help — Foreclosure Self-help guides and interactive tools for Michigan foreclosure process and defenses
MSHDA Homeowner Resources Assistance programs, counselor referrals, and MIHAF information

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Michigan →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Monroe County, Michigan?

    Monroe County has a County Distress Index score of 48.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,665th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 33rd in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Monroe County?

    The primary driver of distress in Monroe County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 71.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Monroe County compare to neighboring counties?

    Monroe County (48.7) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Wayne County, MI (76.2); Lucas County, OH (66.8); Lenawee County, MI (51.8).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Normal zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Monroe County's score of 48.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Monroe County's CDI score?

    Monroe County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Monroe County?

    Monroe County, Michigan has a population of approximately 155,045 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.